About Latex Foam

Natural Latex Foam is harvested from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis, or rubber trees, grown in Africa and South East Asia, South America, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and other tropical climates. Each day natural latex milk is harvested with cuts made into the tree to allow the latex sap to be collected. A rubber tree will produce enough sap to make about four pounds of rubber annually. The latex milk is then transported to factories around the world and is used to manufacture many highly reliant and durable rubber based products. Natural latex is very soft and very elastic and perfect for use in a mattress.

Making of a Latex Foam Mattress

The process used to create Talalay latex is defined by an even density distribution throughout the mattress. The first step requires the aeration of natural rubber in a vacuum chamber that allows the latex to stretch more than during the Dunlop process. This aeration also creates a uniformed round cell structure that improves durability and creates a softer feel when complete. To maintain this even distribution, the Talalay latex is flash frozen at -20°F right after aeration is complete. The next step is to then expose the latex to high temperatures in excess of 230°F for close to an hour to finish setting the latex and maintain a consistent feel throughout every part of the mattress. The latex is then washed and dried to remove any remaining residual moisture.

Additional Benefits of a Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are naturally therapeutic and provide extraordinary orthopedic support. Inherently impression resistant, latex mattresses last for years without sagging or taking on body impressions (no bed flipping is needed). Latex offers extraordinary comfort and unparalleled orthopedic support. Latex foam does not super heat like polyurethane or memory foam and its preferred use is near the body at the top of the mattress. Its superior cell structure gives it maximum breath-ability, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Stay cool and stay warm on a latex mattress.

Pressure Relief: One of the top reasons so many consumers switch to latex when purchasing a new mattress is the relief of pressure points on the body which cause sleepless nights or painful back, neck, and hips when they wake in the morning. Due to Talalay’s aeration in the vacuum chamber, the stretched latex allows your body to sink into the mattress and provides a relaxing contoured feel.

Firmness: The pressurized manufacturing process of Talalay latex allows for a greater and more precise variation in firmnesses. The Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) test measures the amount of force necessary to impress the machine’s foot a certain distance into the mattress. The test produces an ILD number which is used to rate the firmness with higher numbers resulting in a firmer feel. In addition to the equal firmness provided, the Talalay latex is softer and better contours to the body, which provides more pressure relief.

Breathability: Due to the circular cell structure that doesn’t collapse on itself, Talalay latex is four times more breathable than Dunlop. This allows a better flow of air throughout the mattress and helps cool the body over the course of a night.

Durability: Again due to the strong cell structure created during the vacuum chamber aeration process, and the flash freeze that locks the evenly-distributed air pockets in place, the Talalay processed latex is three times more durable than the Dunlop latex. This will not only prolong the life of your mattress, it also provides a mattress that will continue to feel new by resisting a the constant indentation created by body weight. Dunlop latex will breakdown quicker, showing less resiliency and allowing indentations in the mattress from repeated body pressure.